Notice To Members:Unusual Delays in Cargo Clearance at Mombasa Port.

This is to inform you that clearance of cargo at the Mombasa port has since April been a hurdle taking up to 10 days and more, longer than the usual standard time of 2 days! Both exporters and importers of cargo have witnessed queuing and extra time of voyage and dwell of cargo at the port; a situation that has escalated unpleasant extra costs in terms of storage, dismantling and demurrage charges estimated to go up to $15,000 (150,000) per consignment. These have generally disrupted trade and transport agreements which come with concern that ought to be addressed to save the exporters and importers especially of raw materials from incurring extra costs and delays.

When UMA contacted Kenya Ports Authority’s regional representative, Mr. Muhamad Awadh Jezan, he said that the congestion has been as a result of the systems upgrade, expansion at Mombasa port and the civil works of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) currently being undertaken. The systems upgrades are part of Mombasa port’s mega expansion projects aimed at providing world-class logistics platforms for shipping with world class facilities that will vastly improve the efficiency and ease of doing business at the port. Mr. Jezan said, “KPA is doing all that is necessary to ensure that business gets back to normal”

Mombasa is the major port through which UMA members import raw materials, Machinery and equipment. Exports include; Tea, Coffee, Cocoa, Cotton and Skins/Hides among others. These have faced a set back as a result of the current chain of operational inefficiencies that are affecting business at Mombasa port.